Shoe outsole

ABSTRACT

An outsole for a shoe having a plurality of convex shaped protrusions, which may be substantially spherical in shape, with predetermined lateral diameter to vertical height ratios. In some embodiments said convex shaped protrusions have different diameters, with some protrusions having a larger diameter and being located on a bottom outward surface of said outsole over acupressure points on the bottom of the foot.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/716,418 filed on Oct. 19, 2012, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an outsole for a shoe, and one that isparticularly applicable to athletic shoes. Shoes are used to protect andcomfort the human foot during various activities. Athletic shoes aredesigned to be worn for participating in various sports.

Shoes for running are one type of athletic shoe. Shoes for running mayaffect many parts of the body of a runner. Even small variations in thedesign of a running shoe may cause foot pain, ankle pain, back pain, oreven headaches. Some of the many considerations that go into the designof a shoe for running are shock absorption, flexibility, fit, traction,sole wear, weight, etc . . . Indeed, the design of a running shoe mayinvolve contributions from both the fields of podiatry and biomechanics.Functional running shoes are designed primarily to provide maximumoverall shock absorption for the foot. This can help to prevent shinsplints, tendonitis, heel pain, stress fractures and other overusesyndromes.

A typical shoe consists of three basic components: the outsole, themidsole, and the upper. The outsole is the bottom part of the shoe, andis the part that comes in direct contact with the ground. Outsoles canbe made of a variety of materials. Certain types of outsoles providemore traction than others, by using specific materials or designs. Treadpattern of the shoe outsole also affects friction. The shape andcomposition of the outsole tread also impacts the shock absorptionproperties of the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom side view of a first embodiment of a shoe outsole.

FIG. 2 is a bottom side view of a second embodiment of a shoe outsole.

FIG. 3 is a side section view of a convex shaped protrusion of a shoeoutsole.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of a shoe with a sole, illustrating theshoe drop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an outsole 10. Outsole 10 may be comprised of, for example,rubber, polyurethane, or any other suitable material for outsoles asknown to those skilled in the art. The bottom outward surface of outsole10 contains a plurality of spaced apart integral convex shapedprotrusions 20 extending away from the bottom outward surface towardsthe ground. The convex shaped protrusions, which may be substantiallyspherical in shape, facilitate the dispersion of impact energy bothlaterally and vertically. This allows the user of a shoe having such anoutsole to run on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt with morecomfort. As shown in FIG. 3 convex shaped protrusions have a lateraldiameter (d) and a vertical height (h).

In a first preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 & 3 it iscontemplated that the integral convex shaped protrusions 20 would have alateral diameter (d) across the bottom outward surface of outsole 10that is in the range of three to four times the vertical height (h) thatthe convex shaped protrusion 20 extends away from the bottom outwardsurface of outsole 10 towards the ground. For example, in an exemplaryembodiment, where the vertical height (h) of convex shaped protrusion 20is approximately 0.5 millimeters (mm) the lateral diameter (d) of theconvex shaped protrusion 20 across the bottom of outward surface ofoutsole 10 would be in the range of approximately 1.5-2.0 (mm).

FIG. 2 shows an outsole 10 for a second embodiment. In the secondpreferred embodiment first convex protrusions 40 are contemplated tohave a lateral diameter (d) across the bottom outward surface of outsole10 that is in a 1:1 ratio with the vertical height (h) of convexprotrusions 40. For example, it is contemplated in such an embodimentthat first convex protrusions 40 have a lateral diameter (d) ofapproximately 5 mm and a vertical height (h) of approximately 5 mm.Furthermore, the second embodiment has in addition to said first convexprotrusions 40 at least one second convex protrusion 30. Each of said atleast one second convex protrusion 30, which may be surrounded by saidfirst convex protrusions 40, is contemplated to be placed at a locationon outsole 10 that match acupressure points on the bottom of a user'sfoot. It is contemplated that second convex protrusions 30 would have alateral diameter (d) to vertical height (h) ratio of 4:1. For example, asecond convex protrusion 30 may have a lateral diameter (d) ofapproximately 20 mm across the bottom outward surface of outsole 10 anda vertical height (h) of approximately 5 mm.

It is contemplated that the embodiments of the outsole inventiondescribed herein would be particularly well suited for applications withminimalist, or minimal drop, style running shoes, such as for example ashoe with a 4 mm drop. Referring to FIG. 4 the drop of a shoe has itscustomary and ordinary meaning of the difference between the height (b)above the ground where a heel of a foot sits in the shoe and the height(a) above the ground where the forefoot sits in the shoe. However, theinvention described herein is not limited to just minimal drop shoes,and may be applied successfully to any type of shoe.

1. An outsole for a shoe comprising: A bottom outward outsole surface;said bottom outward outsole surface having a plurality of outwardextending protrusions; said outward extending protrusions having aconvex shaped outer surface; said outward extending protrusions having alateral diameter across said outward outsole surface and a verticalheight above said outward outsole surface; wherein the ratio of saidlateral diameter to said vertical height for said outward extendingprotrusions is in the range of 3:1 to 4:1.
 2. The outsole for a shoe ofclaim 1 wherein said vertical height of said outward extendingprotrusions is approximately 0.5 millimeters and said lateral diameteris in the range of 1.5 millimeters to 2 millimeters.
 3. The outsole fora shoe of claim 1 wherein said shoe has a minimalist drop.
 4. Theoutsole for a shoe of claim 3 wherein said minimalist drop isapproximately 4 millimeters.
 5. An outsole for a shoe comprising: abottom outward outsole surface; said bottom outward outsole surfacehaving a plurality of first outward extending protrusions each with aconvex shaped outer surface, a lateral diameter, and a vertical height;said first outward extending protrusions having a ratio of said lateraldiameter to said vertical height of approximately 1:1; said bottomoutward outsole surface having at least one second outward extendingprotrusion with a convex shaped outer surface, a lateral diameter, and avertical height; said at least one second outward extending protrusionhaving a ratio of said lateral diameter to said vertical height ofapproximately 4:1.
 6. The outsole for a shoe of claim 5 wherein said atleast one second outward extending protrusion is located on said bottomoutward outsole surface at a position adjacent to an acupressure pointlocation on a user's foot.
 7. The outsole for a shoe of claim 5 wherein:said first outward extending protrusions have a lateral diameter ofapproximately 5 millimeters and a vertical height of approximately 5millimeters; and said second outward extending protrusions having alateral diameter of approximately 20 millimeters and a vertical heightof approximately 5 millimeters.
 8. The outsole for a shoe of claim 5wherein said shoe has a minimalist drop.
 9. The outsole for a shoe ofclaim 8 wherein said minimalist drop is 4 millimeters.
 10. The outsolefor a shoe of claim 5 wherein at least one second outward extendingprotrusion is surrounded by said first outward extending protrusions.